:: Here's a little history behind the holiday! ::
The person who was to become St. Patrick, the patron
saint of Ireland, was born in Wales about AD 385. His given name was Maewyn,
and he almost didn't get the job of bishop of Ireland because he lacked
the required scholarship.
Far from being a saint, until he was 16, he considered himself a
pagan. At that age, he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders
that raided his village. During his captivity, he became closer to God.
He escaped from slavery after six years and went to Gaul where he
studied in the monastery under St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre for a period
of twelve years. During his training he became aware that his calling was
to convert the pagans to Christianity.
His wishes were to return to Ireland, to convert the native pagans
to Christianity. But his superiors instead appointed St. Palladius. But
two years later, Palladius transferred to Scotland. Patrick, having adopted
that Christian name earlier, was then appointed as second bishop to Ireland.
Patrick was quite successful at winning converts. And this fact upset
the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each
time. He traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the
country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his
conversion of the Irish country to Christianity.
His mission in Ireland lasted for thirty years. After that time,
Patrick retired to County Down. He died on March 17 in AD 461. That day
has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since.
Much Irish folklore surrounds St. Patrick's Day. Not much of it is
actually substantiated.
Some of this lore includes the belief that Patrick raised people
from the dead. He also is said to have given a sermon from a hilltop that
drove all the snakes from Ireland. Of course, no snakes were ever native
to Ireland, and some people think this is a metaphor for the conversion
of the pagans. Though originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick's Day
has evolved into more of a secular holiday.
One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. And this stems from
a more bona fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed
shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent
how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate
elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing
a shamrock on his feast day.
The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737. That was the
first year St. Patrick's Day was publicly celebrated in this country,
in Boston.
(courtesy of Wilstar )
Here's our St. Patty's Day quilt square. Just left-click on it to take it with you! You know the rules, girls!
Thank you, Tea for the square!
   
 
:: St. Patty's Day Adoptions
::
|
|
|
|
|
|
 
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
